By Mr. Okawa Chihiro, EXDB

Tokyo, Japan, 11 February 2017 -- The Salesian Spirituality Seminar & Symposium were held for the Salesian Family of eastern Japan at the Provincial headquarters of the Sisters of Caritas of Jesus in Suginami, Tokyo. About 150 members of the Salesian Family attended.

In the first part held in the morning, we sang together the song “Life” written and composed by Sr. Furuki Ryoko, Mother General of the Caritas Sisters, watched the video of the Rector Major’s message on the Strenna 2017, which was followed by a talk by Fr. Okamoto Daijiro, SDB on the Strenna.

At the beginning of the talk, we all prayed together “Hail Mary” for the Salesian held captive in Yemen, Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil. Then, Fr. Okamoto, showing and reflecting on the Strenna posters of recent years, pointed out the importance to have Christ at the center. Fr. Okamoto, looking back on Salesian international meetings of the past few years, emphasized the urgency to have conversion, in solid faith, to “belong to God, to our brothers, to the young”.

After these reflections, Fr. Okamoto went on to speak about the Strenna for this year, explaining what had been shared at the Salesian Spirituality Days held in Rome in January. Fr. Okamoto shared about Fr. Angel Fernandez’s Buonanotte in which the Rector Major proposed the necessity of 1. Empathy, 2. Open doors, and 3. Accompaniment in order to offer the heart of the family to the young.

Fr. Okamoto wrapped up his talk, conveying what was discussed during the sharing at the Spirituality Days, pointing out that in putting this year’s Strenna into practice, the Salesian charism, “to welcome with a warm smile, and do what can be done” would be important.

In the second part in the afternoon, a symposium entitled “The situation of the Family in Japan and how we can contribute” was held. There were 4 panelists: Fr. Tamura Hiroshi (SDB, Tokyo Salesio Gakuen – Boys’ Home), Ms. Shiraishi Hitomi (Seibi High-school – FMA, Counselor), Prof. Endo Ai (Seibi College - FMA, psychotherapist), and Sr. Matsumoto Makiyo (Caritas of Jesus, Director of Matsumoto Don Bosco Nursery).

Each panelist, from their respective viewpoint, shared practices, giving insights on how to respond as the Salesian Family to different issues surrounding the youth, youngsters and family today.

As responses to the issues, the following were pointed out as important:

1. The adults, on their part, should create networks in order to respond appropriately to issues surrounding children;


2. Make effort to listen to the children and parents involved, trying to empathize with them;


3. To be able to convey religious ideas in a natural way;


4. To interact with loving kindness with children who have challenges and to have the attitude to learn from them.

To conclude the day, Fr. Hamaguchi Hideaki, Vice Provincial, gave everyone the blessing of Mary Help of Christians after which all participants sang in union “The Home of Our Father” (by Msgr. Cimatti), praying that the Seminar will bring much fruit.

The same Seminar will be held in Beppu, Oita on 18 February, and in Nagasaki on 19 February.

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